Student Research in Global Sustainable Development

In the curriculum: Research Projects

Global Sustainable Development (GSD) degree structure includes a comprehensive research methods training programme that is fully integrated into the course, and an interdisciplinary dissertation that builds on this training.

GSD Mini-Project

The first-year core module, taken over 14 weeks in Terms 2 & 3, is a practical module designed to allow students to apply their skills and theoretical knowledge on investigating a real world problem - this year it was the High Speed 2 (HS2) rail line. The module encourages students to examine the economic, environmental and social arguments that have been advanced in relation to the case in question, and strengthen their research skills in groups led by an academic supervisor. Students formulate one question for in-depth investigation, and subsequently produce an output and present it to a public forum.

Dissertation

When students reach the third year, they undertake a research project focused on a Sustainable Development topic of their choosing, which may link Global Sustainable Development with their joint degree programme. Often co-supervised between two departments, the GSD dissertation is an excellent opportunity for students to engage with a unique and self-determined topic that is of interest to them. This module allows students to exercise the research skills they have been developing since their first year.

In the curriculum: Modules

All GSD modules include an element of research when producing assignments and outputs. for detailed informatin on the research opportunities of each individual modules, please visit the GSD homepage here. An example of the type of modules available on the GSD degree are listed below.

Keeping the Phoenix Flying or Clipping its Wings?
This optional second-year module explicitly states that students “undertake research-based learning (where students are actively involved in directed research) focused on local sustainable development in Coventry.” Its pedagogical approach involves “students learning through active group research that will create a historically informed analysis of contemporary 'sustainable development' (SD) in the city of Coventry. Students will themselves define an appropriate interpretation of SD within which to work; make decisions about the themes of research and evaluation; and apply appropriate frameworks and 'measurement' for normative appraisal. This work provides great scope for students to bring their disciplinary expertise in any of the GSD joint degree programs and pursue specific themes of personal interest. A group report constitutes part of the assessment, with reflections on individual learning and group dynamics being assessed through an individual reflective essay.

Surviving the Apocalypse
This optional second or third-year module aims to facilitate a collaborative, student-centred learning environment, in which students contribute substantively to the module’s focus. As such, the module is very self-directed on the part of the student.

Extra-curricular research opportunities

GLOBUS

The School houses a student magazine called GLOBUS, which allows students to get involved in researching topics and writing articles.

Examples of departmental student research projects

For an sample of the research projects undertaken by GSD students, click here.

It is an excellent starting point for any student researcher. You can access subject support with dedicated discipline key electronic sources, contacts, resources, professional bodies, as well as guidance and other resources related to studying and conducting research in your faculty and discipline.

For interdisciplinary research and projects spanning your department and degree interests, please visit the full list of library subject support or contact the library at academicsupport@warwick.ac.uk or library@warwick.ac.uk

The Library can also buy materials for your subject. Contact the Library with requests for book purchase, skills training or for any assistance with your research at academicsupport@warwick.ac.uk

Academic Writing Day

Academic Writing Day is a full day writing workshop that runs from 10am to 4pm and include topics such as:

stages and requirements of writing

organisation and structure of assignments and essays

paragraph construction

language and style academic style

ethics in writing and research, referencing

reporting (paraphrase/summary)

The day covers all major aspects of academic writing for taught students, and is a combination of lectures and seminars. The topics aim to address in depth the challenges posed by essay/assignment writing. Check out the workshop page and book your place at the next Academic Writing Day.

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British Conference of Undergraduate Research

The British Conference of Undergraduate Research promotes undergraduate research in all disciplines. The Conference meets annually every Spring in a different British university. Undergraduates of all levels are invited to submit papers, posters, workshops and performances to the Conference. Abstracts are peer-reviewed and those accepted will be invited to attend the conference. The call for papers is usually published in the autumn.

An undergraduate research conference is just like any other academic conference. There will be spoken papers, lectures, poster presentations and workshops — but each one will be delivered by undergraduate students presenting work they have done either as part of their course, internship, or individual project. For two days, you will be able to talk to undergraduate researchers from your own disciplines, and you will also learn a lot about how other disciplines approach research problems.

If you are an undergraduate student, this is a great opportunity to meet students from other universities and share your work. Many courses include opportunities to develop independent research. You might be working on a dissertation, or you may have devised your own topic for an assessment. You might have worked with an external company, or worked with a researcher over the summer to help them with their research project. All research is welcome at this conference, in any discipline taught in Higher Education.

Want to know more about managing your references, saving time and avoiding plagiarism? Sign up to one of EndNote Online Workshops.

The workshop will introduce you to your enhanced EndNote Online (formerly EndNote Web) account, enable you to add references to your library and use the Cite While You Write function in Microsoft Word to generate citations and bibliographies.

More support and help with Endnote endnoteweb@warwick.ac.uk (EndNote Online) or helpdesk@warwick.ac.uk (Endnote Desktop)

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Global Research Priorities (Energy) bursary

Since 2012, the Energy GRP have been supporting up to 5 Undergraduate Summer Placements, each with a bursary of up to £2,000. The Energy GRP bursaries are affiliated with the University's Undergraduate Research Support Scheme (URSS), and are to help with living costs and expenses associated with a research project and will be paid directly to the student. The project normally lasts between 4 and 10 weeks and supports energy research. Students from any department are welcome to apply and the Energy GRP encourage applications from both science and non-science disciplines.

The scheme is open to all Warwick undergraduate students, usually non-finalists.

The Energy GRP are particularly interested in projects that develop connections between departments and with external partners.

The Materials GRP support up to eight Summer Placements, each with an award of up to £2,000. The Materials GRP bursaries are affiliated with the University's Undergraduate Research Support Scheme (URSS), and are to help with living costs and expenses associated with students’ chosen projects. The project lasts between eight to ten weeks and must involve the study of Materials. The level of support depends on the length of the project, based on a calculation of £200 per week, up to a maximum of 10 weeks, or £2,000.

Students from any department are encouraged to apply, but they must secure their own project before they apply.

Priority is given to (in the following order):

new collaborations (i.e. where the two academic supervisors have not previously worked together)
new projects (i.e. where there is an existing link between supervisors, but a new area of research is being explored)
existing collaborations

Visit IATL's student funding page to find out more information on these and other research and funding opportunities, requirements, and deadlines.

You are welcome to discuss any aspect of these research opportunities and your application with the IATL team. Please contact the team at IATL@warwick.ac.uk

IATL Modules: Postgraduate

The Institute for Advanced Teaching & Learning hosts a range of interdisciplinary postgraduate modules that encourage students from different departments and faculties to formulate relevant questions and propose novel ideas via independent and collaborative research. Some students are encouraged to further develop those ideas for publication.

Please note: Modules are available to all Masters/PGT students, but require home department approval.

IATL Modules: Undergraduate

The Institute for Advanced Teaching & Learning (IATL) hosts a range of undergraduate modules that encourage students to formulate relevant questions and propose novel ideas via independent and collaborative research. Students are encouraged to further develop those ideas for publication.

Please note: Modules are available to all undergraduate students in years 2, 3, or 4, but require home department approval.

IATL Student Ensemble

The Student Ensemble is a trans-disciplinary group of Warwick students and an alumni network that facilitates learning through performance practice. Established at the CAPITAL Centre in 2009 (with funding from the Higher Education Academy), this group has since worked with international practitioners and local communities at the Emerge Festival and Laboratory as well as visiting professionals and graduate companies.

IATL's Student funding opportunities are in place to support innovative student projects under the following strands: Research, Collaboration and Performance.

IATL's Student as Producer (Research) funding is available to undergraduate students and taught Masters students only, who may apply for up to £1,000 for their project. Funded projects must be for research of students’ own devising, and work must be unrelated to anything they are required to do as part of their course.

IATL's Student as Producer (Collaboration) funding is available to undergraduate and taught Masters students only, who may apply for up to £2,000 for their project. The key criterion for this funding stream is that projects must be collaborative and student-led. IATL encourage students to consider the word 'collaboration' in a wide and innovative sense. Projects should always involve more than one Warwick student but students might also wish to work together with a wider interdisciplinary group of students, with members of staff, or with members of the local or international community. Their project must relate to at least one of IATL's key themes.

IATL's Student as Producer (Performance) funding is available to both postgraduate (PGR and PGT) and undergraduate students, who may apply for up to £500 for their performance project which must cover any technical costs, e.g. guidance from an approved theatre technician. Rehearsal and performance space in IATL's spaces is provided.

All IATL funding recipients need to submit a final report on completion of their project. This can take the form of a written report (1,500-2,000 words), films, podcasts, reflective journals or other resources.

Led and sponsored by the University of Warwick and Monash University, the International Conference of Undergraduate Research (ICUR) is an annual, two-day academic conference. Using video-conferencing technology, ICUR provides undergraduate researchers with a unique opportunity to present and discuss their own research – in any discipline in real-time, without having to leave their home university.

ICUR challenges undergraduate students to rethink their work in an international context. As a forum, it requires presenters to consider the perspective of students from different backgrounds, and to anticipate what may be shared across cultures and local contexts. This challenge translates to research questions as well, encouraging students to examine global and regional trends in their research field, and how these might conflict with local concerns and specificities.

Since its establishment in 2013, more than a thousand students from eleven institutions have presented at ICUR. At Warwick alone, 288 students have presented over four years.

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Library Study Blog

The blog is designed to connect students with information, support and their community. It contains posts offering tips and secrets on a wide range of study skills for example improving presentations, avoid plagiarism pitfalls, preventing library fines and much more. Posts are written both by Library staff and by students about their study experiences.

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Masters Academic Writing Programme

Masters Academic Writing is the first step into research writing. Your examinations are mostly based on (module) written assignments, leading to your dissertation. Your writing should be able to demonstrate not only your ability to analyse, critically engage with material and develop complex arguments, but also aspects of originality. You can find a range of courses on academic writing, critical thinking and discipline specific literature reviews. Browse the courses and select those that suit you best.

Masters Skills Programme

The Masters Skills Programme brings together several of the development opportunities that are offered to Warwick Master’s students in one place.

Organising yourself and your time

Planning and managing projects

Academic study skills

Critical thinking

Critical writing

Speed reading

Taking notes effectively

Planning and managing projects

Effective literature searching

Introduction to Masters Writing

On Track - dissertation workshops*

*Your school may also offer specific dissertation support - check with your personal tutor

There is also support available for group research projects:

Becoming more assertive

Working in a team

Intercultural training

Leading a group project

Planning and managing projects

For a full list of workshops visit the Programme page and sign up for the workshops that interest you and develop your skills!

If you think the Programme is missing a workshop that you are interested in, please email the the Programme team the details at skills@warwick.ac.uk

Monash-Warwick Alliance funding

Monash University and the University of Warwick have formed a strategic alliance that aims to enhance the experiences of students at both universities through the development of new models of education and research collaboration.

The Student-led Activity Scheme provides support for activities that seek to integrate the student bodies of both universities, develop ”globally-engaged students” through working as part of international teams, increase both the impact and profile of existing student-led activities at both universities, and transfer knowledge and innovation in student activities across both campuses.

Examples of activities which can be considered for support include academic-related events (e.g. summits, student conferences), cultural and intercultural activities, including sporting events, and skills development events.

The Student-led Activity Scheme provides support of up to a maximum of £15,000 (for expenses incurred by Warwick students).

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PG Hub

The Postgrad Hub (PG Hub) is a dedicated space for postgrads, enabling them to access support, work in a collaborative environment and socialise with peers. Click on the link to check availability, latest updates, support, and exclusive postgraduate and research events.

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Reinvention Journal

Reinvention is an online, peer-reviewed journal, dedicated to the publication of high-quality undergraduate student research. The journal welcomes academic articles from all disciplinary areas. All articles undergo rigorous peer review, based on initial editor screening and refereeing by two or three anonymous referees. Reinvention is published bi-annually and only houses papers written by undergraduate students or papers written collaboratively by undergraduate students and academics.

Reinvention is published through the Institute for Advanced Teaching and Learning and is an open access journal. Students are encouraged to make their work as interactive as possible and to include tables, diagrams and links to films, photographs and other websites where appropriate. Papers should be between 2,000 and 5,000 words in length, not including the abstract, bibliography and any appendices. They receive thorough feedback on their paper, regardless of whether it gets published or not.

Students also receive training on writing for publications, learning about what a journal article is, how it’s structured, and how to critically revise one’s publications.

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Undergraduate Research Scholarship Scheme (URSS)

The Undergraduate Research Scholarship Scheme (URSS) gives students the chance to become directly involved in the research work of the University, experience what it's like to be a member of a research team and take part in cutting-edge research. URSS is a competitive scheme that provides living expenses (up to £1,000) and skills development training to support successful applicants who wish to carry out a summer research project as an addition to their undergraduate degree course. Undertaking a summer research project via the URSS is more than just doing a project – it will give you dedicated skills training opportunities too. The Scheme gives you both a taste of research, invaluable for those looking to pursue postgraduate study, and also adds further value to your degree from Warwick. URSS has been in place since 2002, with students on the scheme having travelled to Europe and further afield to undertake the research.